Ma’moul

Ma’moul is a beautiful Middle Eastern cookie. Made from Semolina and stuffed with dates, its hard not to like it.Traditionally they are made in wooden stamp molds a lot like the Chinese mooncakes and are available with different fillings of dates and nuts. I bought some from a Lebanese supermarket the other day, and realized how much i loved them and had to make my own. Obviously as usual, like every creative cook, i had to give it my twist 🙂 Also i did not have the molds and rolled them with hand instead.They turned out a bit different than i expected, but I’m guessing that’s cuz its homemade and not made on an commercial level. Also recipes differ from person to person, but i quite loved these.

1 cup flour

2 cups semolina

230 gms butter

1/4 th cup sugar

1/4 th tsp baking powder

2 tbsp orange blossom water

1/4th cup water

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups pitted dates

100 gms unsalted pistachios

Start with mixing the dry ingredients i.e the flour, semolina, salt, baking powder together. In another bowl, cream the butter n sugar together till light n creamy. Slowly fold in the dry mixture and then lightly knead in with the orange blossom water and the normal water. Dont be afraid the water is not too much, the semolina will soak it all up. Cover and keep aside for 30 mins. In the meantime chop the dates with a heavy cleaver and mash it all together making a paste. Now roll them in elongated rolls, and keep it ready to stuff the cookies. Chop the pistachios roughly and spread them on a plate. To make the cookies simple take a decent amt in you hand, roll and ball and push in the date filling and cover it with the cookie dough, roll in the pistachios and put it on your silicon baking sheet. Bake for 15 mins at 180C . Remove and cool completely, and try not to eat them while they are still warm , as you may feel a little disappointed. They taste better a few hrs after baking. I would’ve loved to tell you how many this portion makes, but I’ve lost count, i ate far too many and by the time i finished baking i packed the rest off to my mum in law … after taking these pictures ofcourse :)!

alright, does lucky poster number 51 get something? like a free sample? these look superbe.

noreply@blogger.com (Dhanggit)

August 13, 2008

never tasted nor seen these cookies before..but i tell you Kate…they look yummmy!! i’d rather consume these cookies virtually. im afraid cooking them will leave me lots of disappointment if they dont turn out as beautiful as yours :-)or probably you can just send me some hehehe

noreply@blogger.com (white on rice couple)

August 13, 2008

I’ve always wanted to try making some awesome Middle Eastern cookies that I see so often . these look delicious and very do-able for a first timer like me!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate / Kajal)

August 13, 2008

Annemarie , the orange blossom water just gives such a lovely fragrance to these cookies.

Matt …:D, thanksso much !

Stardust, really ? you should definitely try these out then.

Eliza, hehe 🙂

tigerfish, well you are most welcome !

SweetBites , yea its perfect for ramadan. Just a few more days to go, i hope you'll be making loads of wonderful things for Ramadan.

Aaron , nope you cant !

Maybelles parents, haha .. i wish .. they are already all over :!

Dhanggit, they are so easy you cant go wrong ! u have to try it to believe it.

D&T, yes very do-able !!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sylvia)

August 13, 2008

I had all those ingredients in my pantry, well not all at all, no semolina. But I go to buy . Love the recipe and photo

noreply@blogger.com (Snooky doodle)

August 13, 2008

These look really nice. I love dates. Think if i ll ever have one i ll never stop 🙂

noreply@blogger.com (Beachlover)

August 14, 2008

kate/kajel:hop over my kitchen to get your award!

noreply@blogger.com (Kitchen Flavours)

August 14, 2008

Wow something new to me. First time here in u r blog. Nice blog. Iam gonna try out this.